Sunday, April 30, 2017

My Honey-Matt and I went hiking at Saguaro East on Easter (4/16/2017) and encountered this Antelope Jackrabbit, about 2 feet tall, who was kind enough to stay still for photos. The Jackrabbit is really a hare, of course, and the title "Osterhase" (German = Easter hare) seems fitting.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The other day while walking along Sabino Creek on the east side just above the dam, I was surprised to find a Yellow Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha). Although this can be a common flower up higher in the Catalina Mts. a little later in the season, I didn’t expect to find a plant in Sabino. I did check our annotated list and, sure enough, it was there, so someone has recorded it before. I’m fairly certain I’ve never come across this elegant flower in Sabino before.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Saturday, April 8, 2017

These creepy looking crawlies are Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies. That is, they will be. They'll devour the Pipevine plant (Aristolocia watsonii) until they're big enough to pupate. Click this link to see what they'll look like as adults. Yes, with wings : -)

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Marty and Linda Horowitz (and many other members of SCVN) worked with 7th graders from Esperero Canyon Middle School on 'Science Day' in Sabino on 3/29. This Spotted Skunk carcass was found near the dam by one of the students. No obvious external injuries led to the hypothesis of death by rabies. Of course, these highly trained naturalists turned this into a mini-lesson on rabies and on safety around wild animals, in general. For more info on rabies, take a look here. The basics:

Don’t approach or handle wild animals, especially sick wild animals

Vaccinate your pets

Get prompt post-exposure treatment when advised to do so by a doctor or health department

Anne says: Don't try to 'rescue' animals in Sabino Canyon. Even if they appear non-threatening. Even if you think you can do it. Even if you know someone who can 'save' them. Just don't. Leave them be. And consider eating fewer birds. You'll alleviate more suffering by doing so.